July brings new challenge for fundraiser

Never having run a marathon before in his life, Mr Launt was prepared to get himself ready for the Guernsey Marathon on 29 March, however, when the coronavirus pandemic hit he decided to run the 39-mile circumference of the island instead – then there was an injury.

Damaging his IT band in his leg while almost on completion of training for his lockdown challenge, it all seemed hopeless, that was until Mr Launt thought about taking part in Dry July.

Mr Launt said after training three to four days a week for 15 weeks of his 16-week programme to prepare, it had been unfortunate to no longer be able to do the run but he would not let that

deter him from making a difference.

‘I was going to run for a mental health charity and raise awareness,’ he said.

‘Now I’m going to rest up and pick it back up when I can, in the meantime I still wanted a challenge during lockdown that I could do, so I decided doing Dry July and not drinking for a whole month to raise funds and awareness for people affected by cancer would be good.’

Mr Launt, who is surrounded by alcohol every day as the deputy manager of La Reunion restaurant at Cobo, will not be drinking any alcohol for 31 days for the whole month of July.

‘I’m Australian and drinking is a big part of the culture back home,’ he said.

‘Many people I know though back home take part in Dry July, so I’m doing it too, to raise money for skin cancer.

‘Some of the staff here at the restaurant are now going to do it as well, so there’s the manager and three or four kitchen staff and we’ll be able to support each other.’

He added there were several distractions he had planned to get himself through

the month.

‘It’ll be good for me,’ he said.

‘I’ll try not to go out at all to avoid temptation and just lock myself inside with Netflix.

‘Plus I’ve already decided now to substitute alcohol with a J2O or an appletiser.’

n To donate, visit www.dryjuly.com/users/jackson-launt.